Does the London Borough of Richmond provide the best community support network for older people in the entire UK? Yes, very possibly.
Richmond has eight local charities, neighbourhood care groups (NCGs), offering practical support, for older people or those with extra needs, enabling people to stay in their own homes. Each NCG covers a specific postcode area and can easily be reached by local people using accessible public transport.
Why is this support unique?
While Richmond upon Thames is often associated with affluence, the reality is more complex. There are pockets of significant deprivation across the borough, including in parts of Hampton and Hampton Hill (TW12), where residents may be asset rich but cash poor. These financial pressures can impact daily living, especially for older adults and those on fixed incomes.
Yet, the borough’s wealth also brings with it a strong culture of philanthropy and civic participation. Many residents actively give their time, resources, and skills – from volunteering in schools to running community groups, organising local events, and supporting vital services. Richmond benefits from a long-established and vibrant voluntary sector, with organisations and individuals alike showing deep commitment to supporting their neighbours and strengthening the community.
Richmond’s ‘Great Eight’
The eight local Neighbourhood Care Groups (NCG) are:
- Ham and Petersham SOS Neighbourhood Care Group
- HANDS covers Twickenham and St Margaret’s
- Richmond Good Neighbours for residents in central Richmond
- Teddington & Hampton Wick Voluntary Care Group (TedCare)
- Whitton Network
- Hampton & Hampton Hill Voluntary Care (H&HHVC) / Greenwood Community Centre
- FiSH Neighbourhood Care – covers Barnes, Mortlake and Sheen
- Kew Neighbourhood Association
Each NCG offers some or part support such as:
- interesting local excursions as well.
- telephone befriending
- face-to-face befriending
- shopping assistance
- transport to social and medical appointments
- weekly social and interest groups and